Message #116201, posted by jmb at 23:05, 9/1/2011, in reply to message #116199

Member
Posts: 467

Wait, is that doing what I think it's doing? Writing the contents of Rb just above the bottom of zero page?

It's replacing the SWI vector. RISC OS < 3.5 didn't have an OS-provided mechanism (i.e. OS_ClaimProcessorVector) to claim the hardware vectors, so applications/modules had to do it manually by poking an instruction directly into the vector address.

Message #116208, posted by qUE at 16:51, 13/1/2011, in reply to message #116199

Posts: 169

Wait, is that doing what I think it's doing? Writing the contents of Rb just above the bottom of zero page?

It's adding its own routine to the SWI vector, probably a copy protection thing. It's fine changing the vectors as long as you put the call to the old routine back when you return to the OS. Another common one is jacking the interrupt vectors so that you don't have ROS in the background taking up valuable processing.

Writing to this stuff is fine imho. Although I agree Acorn should have locked down that page with a MEMC permission.

I'm aware of the MUSX thing, but the whole thing is encrypted several times over, including by the aforementioned hijack of the SWI vector. Which, incidentally, is not all right on a modern system which does protect zero page.

I've also tried poking around in the replacement binary supplied with the patch, which purports to make it work on new machines (but doesn't).

However, I've just had another go, and I'm happy to report a certain amount of progress. A certain amount, that is, which was sufficient to see the project to completion.

I think this is a sign from the productivity gods that it is high time for another release of the Music Ripper's Toolkit.

Trouble is, I'm not really happy with it in its current form. A lot of the programs leave a lot to be desired, however well they may work when you know what you're doing. I also want to shift away from a focus on RISC OS games and towards esoteric trackers in general (although all the RISC OS-specific material, like the decrypter I just wrote, will still be there).

The current plan is for a subsection of my current documents page, with download links at the end of each sub-page. It's likely to take a while, though, and will probably be shelved until I finish start another tracker-related project I want to use when it's done. (Which at least provides a good incentive.)

Message #116214, posted by qUE at 17:48, 14/1/2011, in reply to message #116211

Posts: 169

I'm aware of the MUSX thing, but the whole thing is encrypted several times over, including by the aforementioned hijack of the SWI vector. Which, incidentally, is not all right on a modern system which does protect zero page.

I've also tried poking around in the replacement binary supplied with the patch, which purports to make it work on new machines (but doesn't).

However, I've just had another go, and I'm happy to report a certain amount of progress. A certain amount, that is, which was sufficient to see the project to completion.

I think this is a sign from the productivity gods that it is high time for another release of the Music Ripper's Toolkit.

Trouble is, I'm not really happy with it in its current form. A lot of the programs leave a lot to be desired, however well they may work when you know what you're doing. I also want to shift away from a focus on RISC OS games and towards esoteric trackers in general (although all the RISC OS-specific material, like the decrypter I just wrote, will still be there).

The current plan is for a subsection of my current documents page, with download links at the end of each sub-page. It's likely to take a while, though, and will probably be shelved until I finish start another tracker-related project I want to use when it's done. (Which at least provides a good incentive.)

Ah okey, you need to be careful circumventing copy protection though. There are still people involed with ROS software running around threatening people with legal action. Of course with pheathon it's been release for free on the scene anyway, so you're in the clear there.

Message #116218, posted by qUE at 01:54, 15/1/2011, in reply to message #116215

Posts: 169

Encryption != copy protection.

(And, as far as I'm concerned, vast swathes of what was the RISC OS commercial arena have completely lost any remaining grasp on reality, but that's a whole other rant.)

I'm afraid it is, you've only got to look at a few EULAs that exist in the Windows market, it comes under reverse engineering software. Aparently it's illegal, but TBH like you say is it worth peoples time to persue you for the unlikely chance they're going to gain any money from you?, I personally doubt it. It's a chance you take, but if you get burnt by it producing software to automate the process then on your head be it.

Message #116220, posted by qUE at 02:22, 15/1/2011, in reply to message #116218

Posts: 169

Encryption != copy protection.

(And, as far as I'm concerned, vast swathes of what was the RISC OS commercial arena have completely lost any remaining grasp on reality, but that's a whole other rant.)

I'm afraid it is, you've only got to look at a few EULAs that exist in the Windows market, it comes under reverse engineering software. Aparently it's illegal, but TBH like you say is it worth peoples time to persue you for the unlikely chance they're going to gain any money from you?, I personally doubt it. It's a chance you take, but if you get burnt by it producing software to automate the process then on your head be it.

Right, to be less negative about what you're doing. I would personally create a system which allow people to code scraper scripts to achieve this. I know it'll extend your task a little, but it's a way to avoid legal issues

Yes, I know. In MP3 format. Whereas what I have done is retrieve the original tracker files from the game, which is a much more rewarding pastime IMO. (Apart from anything else, they're not huge and they don't require a StrongARM to play.)

Also, I don't suppose you noticed that the zone 5 tracker was missing from that archive? I've got that one too.

I'm afraid it is, you've only got to look at a few EULAs that exist in the Windows market...

But why would I want to?

Also...

I would personally create a system which allow people to code scraper scripts to achieve this.

...eh? This may be some piece of techno-babble I'm not familiar with, but no matter which way I read it it appears to be a tautology.

I'm not distributing piracy software. In fact, good luck using my program to hack the Phaethon code itself, which was completely different and much, much nastier (as described above).

I've also been very careful to distribute software which can only be run on the user's own legal copies of the games concerned. I could have hosted a page full of ripped music, but I didn't for exactly these reasons. And none of it has any use beyond music conversion.

Perhaps you should direct your criticisms to Theo v/d Boogaert instead? (Except his website appears to be down.)

Message #122866, posted by BrokenARM at 20:13, 28/11/2013, in reply to message #116223

Member
Posts: 13

Just stumbled across this old thread giggling to myself...

Wouldn't it have been easier to just ask me for the original modules??

I wrote the music for !Phaethon in !Tracker. I was one of the first users of this editor on the Arc. There was a heck of a lot of music required for the game and from memory it was really quite an intense job.

I'm quite fond of that suite of music to this day - it turned out quite well.